I woke up to a faint blush in the sky and decided to go out and be with the sunrise.

It was so peaceful, quiet, and beautiful.  Only a few dog walkers and I were witness to this display.

Each time I turned, another artful view I captured.

And, our day continued with more to see, experience and enjoy.

As we were on the Ferry, heading to Madeline Island, my husband said, "It is hard to believe that part of the world is having a hurricane, while we have this.

I agreed and told him I had thought the very same thing during my sunrise experience.

While pondering that thought, it came to me, that we often make our self sad by imagining the hurricane, while being in the opposite. When we are in a place of pure beauty and with someone we love, in complete harmony.  

We interrupt our peace and go into the thoughts of imagining the storms.

I then, thought, it was our responsibility to enjoy the peace in our present. To be joy in this moment of time.  It would not lessen the storm for me to be sad; but instead insult the beauty I was surrounded with.

I was going to be joy. 

Be peace and feel love on so many levels.

In the balance of storms of life, I was representing the joy side. And, I was doing it well.

I soaked up art and nature with someone I love.

We explored an island and sought out things I loved.

I stopped and took the picture.  Got out of the Jeep and got up close to things that excited me.  I visited with gallery and studio owners and artists.  My eyes were filled with so much that I loved!

Sometimes in life, we are in a storm.  Our worlds and emotions are fraught with anxiety and angst.  We learn there.  About ourselves and others. We are often made to choose things to let go of and what to hang on to.  In the moments of storms we grow.

And, when the storm passes, we are more aware of the beauty that surrounds us. Our emotions are raw and in tune with what is.

I know the storm.  And, it has made me more aware of the joys of life.

As Byron Katie says, "It is not my time to suffer."

Yesterday wasn't my time to suffer.

It was my time to be the joy in the world.

The energy I added was infused with love, art, beauty, joy, gratitude and awe!

It would not have served anyone for me to have been sad on my glorious day.

I know, that those in the storm, will be different people when they exit it, compared to the ones who walked into it.  It is my hope that they too will be more aware, in tune with emotions and beholders of beauty.